Ohio State Set to Open 2015 Season At Charleston Southern Tournament – Ohio State Buckeyes
2/5/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 5, 2015
RELATED INFO
- Tournament Central
- Follow the Buckeyes on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State softball team officially kicks off the 2015 campaign this weekend at the Charleston Southern Tournament. The Buckeyes open play against Southern Illinois on Friday, Feb. 6, at 10 a.m. in its only action of the day. On Saturday, Ohio State takes on Southern Illinois at 9 a.m. and UMBC at 11 a.m. Ohio State concludes action when it faces Charleston Southern on Sunday, Feb. 8, at 1 p.m.
ABOUT THE BUCKEYES
Ohio State, winners of 10 of its last 12 games to finish 30-25 overall and 13-10 in the Big Ten in 2014, returns five field starters and three pitchers from last season. The Buckeyes figure to be potent at the top of their lineup, as their top three hitters all return – junior Cammi Prantl (.329, 91 RBI), senior Taylor Watkins (.361, 28 RBI), and senior Caitlin Conrad (.321, 39 RBI). In the circle, senior Olivia O’Reilly led Ohio State in every major pitching category in 2014 and she will be complemented by the return of redshirt junior Alex DiDomenico, sophomore Shelby Hush (Big Ten-leading seven saves in 2014) along with the addition of sophomore transfer Lena Springer.
FRESH FACES
The Buckeyes’ 2014-15 roster features nine newcomers (seven freshmen, two sophomores). Ohio State won’t lack for experience at key positions, however, as two first team All-Big Ten selections return in the outfield (Cammi Prantl, Taylor Watkins) and redshirt juniors shortstop Maddy McIntyre and pitcher Alex DiDomenico come back after injuries in 2014.
EXCELLENCE IN THE CLASSROOM
Eight Buckeyes – Olivia O’Reilly, Melissa Rennie, Jayla Saibene, Kirstie Fehrenbach, Audrey Plant, Rachel Middleman, Kasie Kelly and Caitlin Conard -were honored as National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-America Scholar Athletes. Additionally, Ohio State’s team grade-point average of 3.11 qualified it as a National All-Academic Team. The Buckeyes were one of four Big Ten squads to make the list.
RETURNING STARTERS
Cammi Prantl | Jr. | OF
First team All-Big Ten … started all 55 games … hit .329 with six home runs, 16 doubles, 34 RBI and 34 runs scored … had 22 RBI in 23 Big Ten game while hitting .406 … slugged a team-best .696 in conference games.
Taylor Watkins | Sr. | OF
First team All-Big Ten and second team All-NFCA All-Midwest Region … started all 55 games in center field and led the Buckeyes in batting (.361) … hit .405 in 23 Big Ten games with 15 runs scored and 12 RBI … seventh in Big Ten-only batting average … added 40 run scored, 28 RBI, six stolen bases, seven home runs and 10 doubles on the season.
Caitlin Conrad | Sr. | OF
Played in and started all 55 games in right field … part of the “The Cannon Crew” with Taylor Watkins and Cammi Prantl that all batted over .300 and combined for over 100 runs and RBI and added 16 assists … named to the Big Ten All-Tournament Team after hitting two HR and driving in four runs in three games.
Keelia Nester | Sr. | INF
Joined the team shortly before the start of the 2014 campaign … earned the starting shortstop job in early March and ended up starting 42 games … named the team’s Rookie of the Year and Most Improved Player … hit .276 with 26 runs scored and 14 RBI … batted .340 in Big Ten-only games.
Anna Kirk | So. | INF
Started 44 games, primarily at third base … hit .363 with two home runs and eight RBI at the Easton Desert Classic in Las Vegas (2/14-2/16) … had home runs vs. Cal State Northridge and Long Beach State (2/14) … hit safely in six of the final nine games of the season.
Erika Leonard | RS-Jr. | C/DP
Started 37 games, primarily at catcher or designated player … hit .257 with 20 RBI, 11 runs scored, seven doubles and one home run.
Olivia O’Reilly | Sr. | P
Emerged as the Buckeyes’ ace … led the team in wins (17), complete games (12), shutouts (3), strikeouts (93) and innings pitched (162.1) … selected as the Buckeyes’ Pitcher of the Year … finished with a 3.02 ERA
Shelby Hursh | So. | P
Led the Big Ten in saves with seven … second on the team with 91.1 innings pitched … struck out 89 batters … tossed a no-hitter with 12 strikeouts vs. Utah Valley (2/16), the first freshman to do so since 2001.
DEFENDING THEIR HOME TURF
The Buckeyes finished 12-2 at home last year, outscoring their opponents 85-45 (an average of 6.1 runs per game). Ohio State had a team batting average of .343 at Buckeye Field with 23 doubles, 16 home runs and a .545 slugging percentage. In the circle, opponents batted just .216 vs. Buckeye pitchers. Olivia O’Reilly went 9-2 at home with a 1.88 ERA.
2015 HOME SLATE
Nineteen regular season games at Buckeye Field, including home conference series against NCAA Super Regional participates Nebraska and Michigan, highlight Ohio State’s 2015 schedule. The Buckeyes will also host the 2015 Big Ten Tournament, slated to take place May 7-9.
MCINTYRE NAMED 2015 CAPTAIN
Redshirt junior Maddy McIntyre will be the Buckeyes’ captain in 2015. A shortstop and native of San Diego, Calif., McIntyre has played in 99 career games with 92 starts. Her best statistical season came in 2013 when she batted .270 with 28 RBI, three home runs, 34 runs scored and 10 doubles. Last year, she was limited with just 15 games because of injury and received a medical redshirt.
UP NEXT
The Maverick Invitational awaits Ohio State next week as the Buckeyes travel to Arlington, Texas Feb. 13-15 to face Sam Houston State, Incarnate Wood, UT Arlington and Buffalo.
